Forget every kale salad you’ve met before this one. Packed with crunchy veggies and toasted almonds, with tender bites of orzo pasta, and all tossed in creamy maple tahini dressing – this Kale Orzo Salad is the only one you’ll ever need. 

This truly is a game-changing kale salad. Even the kale-salad-doubters will be converted by the balance in this version that includes tender pasta, super crunchy red cabbage and toasted almonds. But that creamy maple tahini dressing truly is the best kale salad dressing around. 

You can use this kale salad as a side dish to anything you’re planning for dinner, but it’s especially great with roasted salmon, shredded rotisserie chicken, tender steak, or crispy roasted chickpeas.

Ingredients for Kale Orzo Salad

• Curly Kale – This is the variety of kale sold most often in bunches in the produce aisle. The curly leaves give the salad volume and hold the dressing well. However, you can use absolutely any type of kale or other lettuce and this salad will still be great. 
• Red Cabbage – The cabbage is a real show-stopper in this salad because it adds so much crunch. I love red cabbage here for the color, but green cabbage would work just as well. Be sure to chop it small so you get some in every bite.
• Orzo – Tiny rice-shaped orzo pasta adds tender chew and heartiness to the salad. Any pasta shape will work, but I love that orzo is so small that you get some in every bite. See below for more tips on cooking with orzo. 
• Almonds – Use any shape – sliced or slivered almonds or buy whole almonds and chop them up yourself. I like to toast them for extra crunch (instructions included in the recipe card below), but you can use them raw if you prefer.
• Parmesan Cheese – Salty parmesan cheese gives the entire salad a rich, nutty flavor that just goes so well with the other ingredients. 

The BEST Kale Salad Dressing

Maple Tahini Dressing is the perfect dressing for kale salad. The maple syrup gives it just enough sweetness to balance the bitter notes of the kale while the tahini makes it super creamy and rich. All you need to make this dressing is olive oil, white wine vinegar, tahini, maple syrup, and salt.

What is tahini, you might be wondering? Well, I’m glad you asked!

What is Tahini?

Tahini is a creamy condiment made when hulled sesame seeds are ground until they form a smooth paste. It is the ingredient that gives hummus its unique nutty flavor. 

Stir tahini well before using it because it can separate as it sits. You can find it at almost any grocery store these days, often near the nut butters or in the international aisle. I love Soom brand. 

If you absolutely can’t find tahini, almond butter or peanut butter can make decent substitutes. Add a little at a time and mix the dressing as you go since these nut butters can be thicker than tahini.

What is Orzo?

Orzo is rice-shaped pasta. It cooks quickly and is usually measured by volume (like rice). Cook it the same way you would any pasta, in a large pot of salted boiling water. 

Variations

• Make it vegan – Just skip the parmesan cheese (or use your favorite vegan substitute), and you’re done!
• Make it gluten-free – Use basmati rice, lentils, or quinoa instead of orzo. Or just skip the orzo – it’s great without it. 
• Add protein – For a no-cook protein boost, stir in a drained and rinsed can of white beans or chickpeas or add shredded rotisserie chicken. Any cooked proteins (steak, salmon, chicken) are also great on top. 
• Add veggies – The sky is the limit on veggies you can add to this salad. Try cherry tomatoes, red onion, chopped red pepper, shredded carrots, chopped cucumbers, or roasted beets.
• Add fruit – Crisp apple or dried fruit, especially dried cranberries would be a great addition.

FAQs

More Kale Salad Recipes

Butternut Squash and Kale Salad with Toasted Breadcrumbs

Kale Salad with Chicken, Croutons and Soft Boiled Eggs

Sesame Ginger Kale Salad

Kale Salad with Apples and Manchego